JFAC staff present program-maintenance packets and ‘clear language’ approach; co-chairs say intent language will be treated as binding

Legislative budget staff walked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee through program-maintenance packets on Jan. 15, previewing the maintenance-bill language that will accompany fiscal-year 2026 base budgets and emphasizing that the committee plans to treat previously used “intent” language as binding directions.

Keith Bybee, Division Manager for Budget Policy Analysis, explained packet contents and said packets include comparative analyses of agency bases, governor recommendations and a draft column for the committee’s recommended changes. He told members the maintenance packets will incorporate three broad categories of clear language: exemptions from transfer limits between expenditure categories,…